BSI Awarded Notified Body Status for Fire Panel Standards

Fire Expo - Stand A30a, Hall 9

The UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) has awarded BSI Product Services 'notified body' status under the Construction Products Directive (CPD) to test Fire Panels for all parts of BS EN 54 including part 2 when the harmonised standard is published.

UKAS has also confirmed accreditation for BSI's Kitemark scheme for BS EN 54, parts 2 and 4. The two moves increase competition in the market and offer manufacturers and specifiers of alarm panel equipment greater assurance that products meet the highest standards. BSI will award the first Kitemark licenses to manufacturers at Fire Expo.

BS EN 54 parts 2 and 4 cover the functionality, performance, environmental, electrical safety and EMC requirements for the fire alarm control panels and their power supply - the two most vital parts of an entire system.

Tony Maskens of BSI, who will be on hand at Fire Expo to answer any queries concerning testing and the Kitemark scheme says, "Confirmation of our status as a 'notified body' by UKAS is great news both for us and the industry as it increases the choice of testing facilities available to manufacturers.

"The Kitemark is significant news for both designers and suppliers of alarm panels as it provides evidence to the end users of fire control systems that they can have total confidence that their panel has been tested fully. Building on our 25 years experience in the fire industry this is the latest in a long line of Kitemark schemes to support fire safety products."

Plans are also in place to introduce Kitemark schemes for other parts of BS EN54.